Lawn and landscape maintenance becomes a definite hardship when a family’s major breadwinner is on active duty away from home. The Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals (MLP) is teaming up with GreenCare for Troops — a nationwide outreach program that connects local landscape professionals with men and women serving our country in the armed forces away from home.

To date, GreenCare for Troops has helped more than 2,400 volunteers provide free lawn and landscape services to thousands of military families nationwide.

Right now in Massachusetts, there are many military families in need and their requests go unanswered because there are not enough local volunteers to help.

“That’s where the MLP comes in.” said Matt Gramer, MCLP, of NatureWorks Landscape in Walpole, MA and president of MLP. “Our goal this winter is to sign up 100 members to help out GreenCare for Troops. We want to build a stable of volunteers who are ready to go when spring comes around,” he concluded.

Bigelow Nurseries of Northboro, MA has signed on as the first lead sponsor of MLP’s GreenCare for Troops initiative. They will offer a 10% discount for any MLP member who assists a GreenCare for Troops family. “This is an outstanding opportunity to create awareness for our industry and make a real difference for a local military family,” said Patricia Bigelow, president and owner of Bigelow Nurseries. “We’re delighted to be a part of this collaborative effort.”

Families interested in applying for assistance, or contractors interested in volunteering, should contact GreenCare for Troops on the Web at www.projectevergreen.com/gcft/ or toll-free at (877) 758-4835. More information about the Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals can be found at www.mlp-mclp.org or by phone at (508) 653-3373.